HC Deb 15 June 1894 vol 25 c1209
MAJOR RASCH

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether persons belonging to the Reserve of Officers draw pay as such; whether they can be employed by any Department of the State without forfeiting their retired pay; whether private soldiers of the Reserve draw pay, and when employed in Government Departments forfeit Reserve pay; and whether he would consider the possibility of recommending some payment for the officers of the Reserve, or in lieu of pay a step of honorary rank?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Officers belonging to the Reserve of Officers do not draw pay as such, but many of them are members of the Reserve as a condition of drawing retired Army pay. All, if called out for duty, would receive the pay and allowances of their rank. An officer of the Reserve can be employed by any Department of the State without forfeiting retired pay; but in certain cases his salary from a Civil Department may be liable to reduction. Private soldiers of the Reserve receive 6d. a day, which is not forfeited on employment in a Government Department. There is no intention of paying officers of Reserve as such, unless called out for duty; nor of giving them honorary rank; but, if employed, they are eligible for promotion.